Railway: Alkali Proposes $35bn Investment Portfolio to Develop Functioning System

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, has proposed an investment portfolio of $35 billion to develop a functioning railway transportation system in Nigeria. 

This was even as he unveiled a bold and transformative budget proposal for 2024. 

Alkali gave the hint while appearing before the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Land Transport in Abuja 

He noted that his ministry’s vision for the future of Nigeria’s transportation sector places significant emphasis on the expansion and modernisation of railway infrastructure, with plans to connect nearly 6,000 kilometres of standard gauge railways and rehabilitate an existing 3,505 narrow gauge line. 

The minister, in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Assistant (Public Affairs), Jamilu Ja’afaru, said: “These ambitious plans aim to link Nigeria’s North and South, East and West regions, reaching key agricultural belts, oil and mineral resource zones, as well as ports of origin and destination, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

“Our goal is to close the infrastructural gap in the country, support national economic growth, create employment, generate wealth, and improve the standard of living for all Nigerians.” 

He further said that despite the challenges faced due to funding gaps and dwindling revenue, the ministry remains committed to realising Nigeria’s Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan. 

According to him, “The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in Zaria is set to undergo a significant expansion. It will see infrastructure improvements, increased research efforts and a broader training drive. 

“The institution plans to complete its ongoing outreach learning centres in four geopolitical zones of the country.”

In his concluding remarks, Alkali expressed his gratitude to the Joint Committee on Land Transport for their cooperation and support. 

He assured the committee of the ministry’s unwavering commitment to working collectively to transform Nigeria’s land transport sub-sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.